By Sean Phillips, REALTOR®, Strand resident ·
If you've been mowing the same lawn and shovelling the same driveway for twenty years, the idea of handing all of that off and waking up beside Okanagan Lake is hard to ignore. Many of the people I talk to about The Strand Lakeside at 7343 Okanagan Landing Road are doing exactly that: selling a family home and trading square footage for a simpler, lakeside way of living.
Here's an honest look at what changes when you downsize to The Strand.
The chores you leave behind
Strata fees at The Strand cover a long list of things a homeowner normally handles alone. They include the beach, pool, hot tub, courtyard and grounds, plus natural gas, water, sewer, garbage, snow removal and landscaping. In practice, the main costs you still pay yourself are cable, internet, your own electricity (hydro), home contents and liability insurance, and property taxes. Moorage in the marina is separate.
That means no snow blower, no sprinkler system to winterize and no weekend lost to yard work. For a full breakdown, see Strand strata fees explained and the monthly cost of ownership.
What you gain
- A private sandy beach with a roped-off swimming area
- A seasonal heated pool and a hot tub you can use year-round
- A 51-slip private marina, including 12 slips with power lifts
- A landscaped courtyard with pergolas and gas fire pits
- Heated, secure underground parking and storage for seasonal gear
- An on-site caretaker and professional property management
More detail is in the Strand amenities guide.
Lock it and leave
Downsizers often want the freedom to travel. With grounds, snow and exterior upkeep handled by the strata, and an on-site caretaker, a Strand home suits a lock-and-leave lifestyle better than a detached house. If you plan to spend part of the year somewhere warmer, read living at The Strand year-round vs part-time and why snowbirds choose lock-and-leave Okanagan condos. If this move is part of your retirement plans, see retiring in Vernon, BC.
Things to think about before you move
Space and storage
Going from a house to a condo means deciding what comes with you. Look at the Strand floor plans and unit types early, and measure the furniture you love most.
Pets, parking and renovations
Strata bylaws shape day-to-day life. Check the rules on pets, parking and renovations before you write an offer — see pets, parking and renovations at The Strand.
Strata documents
Ask for the Form B, the depreciation report and recent council minutes. My guides to the Form B and the depreciation report explain what to look for.
Timing the sale of your house
Most downsizers need to sell before (or while) they buy. Planning the order of the two moves is one of the most important parts of the process, and it's worth talking through before you list.
Frequently asked questions
What do Strand strata fees include?
The beach, pool, hot tub, courtyard, grounds, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage, snow removal and landscaping. Owners pay their own cable, internet and hydro, plus home contents and liability insurance and property taxes. Moorage is separate.
Is there parking for a second vehicle or toys?
The Strand has heated, secure underground parking and storage for seasonal gear. Ask me about the specific allocation for any home you're considering.
Can I keep a boat at The Strand?
Yes — the private marina has 51 slips. Slips are held separately from the homes and can be bought, sold or rented between owners only. See boat slips and the marina.
Thinking about downsizing?
I live at The Strand myself, and I'm happy to walk you through the building and talk through timing the sale of your current home.
Text Sean: 778-363-0542
Call or text Sarah, my 24/7 info line: 604-227-4810
This is the personal website of Sean Phillips, a licensed real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Executives Realty, an independently owned and operated brokerage. It is not the official website of the Strand strata corporation (KAS3310); owner information is at strandlakeside.com.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm details for your situation with the appropriate professional.
